XXIII
THE SLEIGHING PARTY
"Oh, yes, Pip," said Ben, "you must go."
"Oh, I don't want to," cried Pip, in great alarm, and, clinging to Ben's hand, he huddled up closer than ever. "Don't make me go to that old woman's; don't," he pleaded.
"Why not?" asked Ben, whirling him around to let his blue eyes search keenly the distressed little face.
"She looks at me so," said Pip, squirming uncomfortably; "she's always looking at me."
"Well, supposing she does, she won't bite you," said Ben, with a little laugh. Then he stopped suddenly. "Now then, Pip," and he put his hand on the small shoulder, "it's best for you to go; there's to be a jolly good time. Just think, Madam Van Ruypen is to give you all a sleigh-ride! And off you'll go into the country and have a supper and come home by moonlight. Why, everybody's going!"
"Are you going?" asked Pip, suddenly, his face emerging a little from its wrinkles.
"Well, no, I'm not," said Ben, "but everybody else is; I'm going to stay with Jasper."
"Oh, I won't go! I won't go!" screamed Pip, wholly beside himself with distress. "I'm going to stay with you, I am." With that he wound his wiry little arms around one of Ben's, and beat his feet nervously on the floor.